The relationship between Jews and Muslims has gone through multiple phases in the modern period as the Middle East, North Africa, and the Balkans moved between Ottoman imperial rule, European colonial rule, and independent statehood in various political forms. This course explores how politics, economics, and ideologies, both locally and regionally, shaped the lives and relations of two different religious groups, both also defined by language use, ethnic identity, and regional loyalties. We’ll consider Jewish culture and identity in an Islamic context; Jews’ and Muslims’ encounters with empire, westernization, and nationalism; issues of migration and diasporic identities; and the impact of Zionism, European Jewish settlement in Palestine, and the emergence of the State of Israel on Jewish-Muslim relations in the Middle East and beyond. The last part of the course will deal with Jewish-Muslim relations and attempts at dialogue in contemporary Europe and the United States.
Winter 2026
Meeting:
MW 10:30am - 12:20pm
SLN:
15624
Section Type:
Lecture
Joint Sections:
JEW ST 459 A , HSTAFM 459 A , JEW ST 559 A
ADD CODE REQUIRED. ADD CODES ARE
AVAILABLE FROM THE HISTORY
GRADUATE OFFICE. REGISTRATION IS
LIMITED TO GRADUATE STUDENTS
ONLY. NON-HISTORY GRADUATE
STUDENTS MUST HAVE THE
PERMISSION OF THE FACULTY
INSTRUCTOR TO REGISTER FOR THIS
COURSE. UNDERGRADUATES AND
AUDITORS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO
REGISTER FOR HISTORY GRADUATE
COURSES.
Syllabus Description (from Canvas):
Catalog Description:
Topics include Jews' and Muslims' linked encounters with empire, westernization, and nationalism; Jewish culture and identity in Islamic contexts migration and diasporic identities; the impact of Zionism, European Jewish settlement in Palestine, and the State of Israel on Jewish-Muslim relations in the Middle East and beyond; Islamophobia and antisemitism. Offered: jointly with JEW ST 559.
Credits:
5.0
Status:
Active
Last updated:
November 9, 2025 - 3:09 am